Optocapsule unit for an optohybrid assembly, a lower casing part of such an optocapsule unit, and an optoelectronic module comprising said optocapsule unit and an optohybrid assembly

Abstract

An optocasule unit for an optohybrid assembly ( 10 ), said capsule unit comprising a lower casing part ( 36 ) and a compatible upper cover part ( 54 ) which together form, at one end ( 50 ) thereof, an integral receptacle section for obtaining an optomechanical interface and receiving and detachably holding therein an optical connector with at least one external optical fiber. A central section ( 38 ) of the lower casing part ( 36 ) has a cavity ( 42 ) for receiving, in a form-closed manner, a ferrule ( 12 ) of the optohybrid assembly ( 10 ). The lower casing part ( 36 ) has, at a second end thereof, a base plate ( 44 ) for supporting a substrate ( 20 ) having at least one optochip ( 26, 28 ) and a proximal end of at least one primary optical fiber ( 22, 24 ) mounted thereon. The cover part ( 54 ) also has a section ( 58 ) covering the substrate ( 20 ) and at least a portion of the base plate ( 44 ) of the lower part. The invention is also addressed to the lower casing part ( 36 ) of the optocapsule unit for enclosing an optohybrid assembly ( 10 ) therein, and to an optoelectronic module ( 62 ) comprising the capsule unit with an optohybrid assembly enclosed therein.

1. An optocapsule unit for an optohybrid assembly ( 10 ), comprising:
 a lower casing part ( 36 ) and a compatible upper cover part ( 54 ), wherein said lower casing part and said upper cover part together form, at one end ( 50 ) thereof, an integral receptacle section for obtaining an optomechanical interface and receiving and detachably holding therein an optical connector with at least one external optical fiber, a central section ( 38 ) of the lower casing part ( 36 ) having a cavity ( 42 ) for receiving, in a form-closed manner, a ferrule ( 12 ) of the optohybrid assembly ( 10 ), said ferrule ( 12 ) defining at a first surface ( 30 ) thereof an optical interface for alignment of a distal end of at least one primary optical fiber ( 22 ,  24 ) extending through said ferrule ( 12 ) with a proximal end of the external optical fiber, said primary optical fiber having an exposed section ( 22 , 24 ) protruding from a second surface of the ferrule ( 12 ) and terminating at a proximal end, said lower casing part ( 36 ) having, at a second end thereof, a base plate ( 44 ) for supporting a substrate ( 20 ) having at least one optochip ( 26 , 28 ) and the proximal end of the primary optical fiber ( 22 , 24 ) mounted thereon, wherein said cover part ( 54 ) has a section ( 58 ) covering the substrate ( 20 ) and at least a portion of the base plate ( 44 ) of the lower part ( 36 ), and wherein said assembly includes an aperture ( 60 ) through said integral receptacle section for receiving a clasp on said optical connector, whereby said optical connector can be detachably connected to said optohybrid assembly ( 10 ).  
 
   
   
     2. Optocapsule unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower and upper casing parts ( 36 , 54 ) are made of a shape-stable plastic material. 
   
   
     3. A lower casing part of an optocapsule unit for enclosing an optohybrid assembly ( 10 ), wherein a frame structure ( 48 ) of electrical lead pins ( 46 ), to be wire-bonded to at least one optochip ( 26 , 28 ) via a substrate ( 20 ), is integrally molded to a base plate of a first end portion ( 44 ) of said lower casing part ( 36 ), a second end portion ( 50 ) of said lower casing part ( 36 ) defining an integral receptacle section for obtaining an optomechanical interface and receiving and detachably holding an optical connector with at least one external optical fiber, wherein a central section ( 3   8 ) of the lower casing part ( 36 ) has a cavity ( 42 ) for receiving, in a form-closed manner a ferrule ( 12 ) of the optohybrid assembly ( 10 ) and wherein said lower casing part is adapted to be coupled to an upper cover part including an aperture ( 60 ) for receiving a clasp on said optical connector, whereby said optical connector can be detachably connected to said optocapsule unit. 
   
   
     4. Optoelectronic module ( 62 ), comprising a capsule unit ( 36 , 54 ) enclosing an optohybrid assembly ( 10 ), said optohybrid assembly ( 10 ) comprising:
 a ferrule ( 12 ) including at a first surface ( 30 ) thereof an optical interface for alignment and detachable connection of a distal end of at least one primary optical fiber ( 22 , 24 ) extending through said ferrule ( 12 ) to a proximal end of at least one secondary, external optical fiber, said primary optical fiber having an exposed section protruding from a second surface of the ferrule ( 12 ) and terminating at a proximal end; and  
 a substrate ( 20 ) supporting thereon at least one optochip ( 26 , 28 ), said proximal end of the primary optical fiber being aligned in close proximity with the respective optochip ( 26 , 28 ) and fixated to the substrate ( 20 ), wherein:  
 said capsule unit comprises a lower casing part ( 36 ) and a compatible upper cover part ( 54 ), wherein said parts together form, at one end ( 50 ) thereof, an integral receptacle section for receiving and detachably holding an optical connector carrying said at least one secondary, external optical fiber; and a central section ( 38 ) having a cavity ( 42 ) for receiving the ferrule ( 12 ) in a form-closed manner, wherein said lower casing part ( 36 ) has, at a second end thereof, a base plate ( 44 ) provided with integrated electrical lead pins ( 46 ) wirebonded to the optochip ( 26 , 28 ) via the substrate ( 20 ) and supporting said substrate ( 20 ) having said optochip and the proximal end of the primary optical fiber ( 22 , 24 ) mounted thereon, and wherein said cover part ( 54 ) has a section ( 58 ) covering the substrate ( 20 ) and at least a portion of the base plate ( 44 ) of the lower casing part ( 36 ), and wherein said capsule unit includes an aperture ( 60 ) through said integral receptacle section for receiving a clasp on said optical connector, whereby said optical connector can be detachably connected to said optohybrid assembly ( 10 ).  
 
   
   
     5. Optoelectronic module according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one substrate supporting microelectronic component is mounted (at  47 ) on the base plate ( 44 ).